Health care costs comprise 18% of GDP, a number that has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. In some part, the cost increases are due to effective treatments for previously unmet needs. The counterbalance to these increases, suggests former CMS Administrator, Mark McClellan, are innovative technologies, including wireless technology, and telemedicine. But the holy grail is better care coordination, enabled and supported by technology.
In late June, LeadingAge convened the Collaborative Care & Health IT Innovations Summit. Guided by a consortium of other stakeholders, the Summit stimulated a dynamic dialogue about key drivers for the present as well as the future.
Some key takeaways:
- We need to figure out how to deliver post-acute care more efficiently, and technology continues to play a significant role.
- Partnering with primary care physicians is likely to be a winning strategy.
- Interoperability—the technical facilitator for exchanging information between providers, in transitions of care as well as shared care—must become ubiquitous. We have made progress, but we’re not where we need to be.
We can hope for greater unity around quality measures, reflecting the voice of the consumer. The ultimate measure: are we making progress towards achieving the individual’s goals, and meeting their preferences?
There is increased exploration of ways to engage with alternative payment models and payors. More providers are experimenting with risk, as one way to get closer to the premium dollar, so we are adequately paid for what we do, is to become a payor (not for the faint of heart) or partner with a payor. Otherwise, we are left on the sidelines.
Medicare Advantage will continue to play a significant role in defining the older consumer’s health care experience.
As health care as a sector shifts from a focus on volume to value, wouldn’t it be ideal if organizations could shift from compliance to quality improvement? As Peter Kress, senior vice president and chief information officer at ACTs Retirement Life Communities noted, “every minute spent in documentation is an erosion of the relationship with the consumer.”
The bottom line: technology will be the most critical factor defining health care innovation in this century. LeadingAge’s Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) is in the middle of it all, serving as a convener, collaborator, analyst, spokesperson, advisor, and advocate. We owe nothing less to our members and the field at large to help drive and shape the solutions.
Mark your calendars for next years’ Collaborative Care Summit June 14-16, in Washington, DC.